HULUNBUIR (CHINA), Sep 8: The Indian males’s hockey crew dished out a dominant efficiency to launch its title defence with a commanding 3-0 win over hosts China within the Asian Champions Trophy right here on Sunday.
Sukhjeet Singh (14th minute), Uttam, Singh (twenty seventh) and Abhishek (thirty second) have been the goal-scorers for India.
Coming into the event after securing a second successive bronze on the Olympics, India appeared the extra enterprising facet, grabbing alternatives up entrance and was rock stable in defence to emerge winners.
“I believe we performed very properly. We created some good possibilities however one of the best half is that we stored a clear sheet,” captain Harmanpreet Singh stated.
“Some new faces obtained a possibility to carry out and I believe they performed very properly. It’s alternative for them to play with the Asian groups and gel with the senior crew. They’re skillful and really gifted. I want them one of the best for the long run,” he stated.
India have been gradual off the blocks as China created an early counter assault alternative however an alert Krishan Pathak noticed the ball sail huge harmlessly.
Midway by way of the quarter, Abhishek compelled a penalty nook from China however Harmanpreet’s drag flick was saved and China initiated a blistering counter assault which was thwarted by the Indian defence.
China acquired a penalty nook with six minutes left however squandered the chance.
India pegged China again in the previous few minutes of the quarter, registering a number of circle entries. However no clear likelihood was made till Jugraj Singh thundered the ball into the capturing circle and Sukhjeet deflected it into the highest nook to make it 1-0 for India.
India have been visibly alert within the second quarter with Abhishek unleashing an early shot that was saved by the Chinese language goalkeeper Caiyu Wang.
India started controlling the tempo of the sport, pushing China into their very own half. With minutes to go for the half-time break, Uttam doubled the lead for India, slotting a stray ball into the online after Raheel’s shut vary shot was battered away.
India got here out swinging within the third quarter. Manpreet discovered Abhishek on the prime of the circle, who rifled the ball to sound the backboard on the half flip and make it 3-0 for his facet.
On this interval, India continued to recycle the ball by way of the backline looking for one other objective from the younger forwards.
A uncommon counter by China, with three minutes left within the quarter, resulted in a penalty nook however Chinese language captain Jiesheng Gao slotted the ball huge of the goalpost.
China’s spirits, buoyed by the try, led them to fabricate a 3-on-3 counter however Jugraj averted the hazard.
Within the final quarter with 12 minutes left within the recreation, Gurjot Singh bamboozled the Chinese language defence on the left wing and located Abhishek whose reverse shot whisked previous the goalpost.
India created common possibilities by way of circle entries for the remainder of the quarter, leading to a penalty nook with six minutes left within the recreation. Nonetheless, Jugraj’s low drag went simply huge of the objective.
China earned a penalty nook with two minutes left, forcing ‘keeper Suraj Karkera into his first save of the sport.
China mounted strain on India within the dying moments, holding them hostage of their capturing circle however Harmanpreet and firm stood tall to see the hazard away.
India will play Japan of their second pool one match on Monday.
In different matches, Malaysia held Pakistan 2-2 in a high-voltage contest, whereas Japan and Korea engaged in a goal-fest earlier than settling for a 5-5 draw. (PTI)